By Brian Rust.

This is THE discography most used by universities and serious collectors.  Out of print for about 40  years, it is now freely available for all Jazz scholars, from the publisher, in this FREE and legal searchable PDF file.  ENJOY! 

It's nice when a publisher offers a FREE electronic version of a reference volume that is long out of print.

It seems that The University of California-Santa Barbara has been assigned the receivership of Mr. Rust's literary estate.  The University is free to publish Mr. Rusts' Jazz Discography, 1897 - 1942. 

If you have the bread, I suggest you take a chip containing the PDF file to a professional printer or Staples and have it printed (make sure the paper is at least 25% cotton) and bound.  This is money well spent. 

I know little of Brian Rust's life, but Mr. Rust probably ended his discography in 1942 because this was the year he stopped writing the book? —'Tis a pity, as Jazz entered the "modern era" of Bee-Bop, refined swing, Cool Jazz, a rediscovery and restoration of already antiquated recordings.  Musicians like Bix, Goodman, Ellington, Fats Waller, Hoagy Carmichael, Pops, The Nat Cole Trio, Charlie Christian, Earl Hines, Robert Johnson, Lady Day, Bessie, Ella,The Gershwin Brothers, Johnny Mercer, Berlin, Bird & Diz, 'Trane, Fats Navarro, Bill Evans, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Chis Connor, Chet Baker, Sinatra, Miles, Monk, etc.  

Some Jazz "Aficionados" seem to think Jazz ended with Louis Armstrong. —Say it 'aint so. 

I cannot see much Jazz existing prior to 1897, however, I consider Ragtime as Jazz. 

If you stop at the end of Brian Rust's book, you miss a Swinging Basie, Bee-bop, The Birth of The Cool, Chet Baker, Miles, 'Trane, Lady Day on Verve, Ella, Brubeck, Sinatra; —you miss a whole space time continuum.  

Where can one find a post-1942 Jazz Discography?  I own an old copy of Charles Delaunay's venerable, but incomplete Jazz Discography (to 1947).  Alas, this effort is inclined to see only some of the scene.  I am sure there is a quality, printed, discography for post 1947 Jazz, I just don't know of such a book.  One cannot be hip everywhere at once. It might frighten your neighbours.

—Yes, you want your discography printed on paper. It is most convenient to have a discography printed on paper and PDF.  You can search a PDF file in robot-time, but having a paper copy is convenient and allows you to make notes and corrections.  My 1947 copy of Delaunay is tattered with corrections. 

As for Rust, there is STILL not a better Jazz discography on the planet. 

Hip is, as hep does… You heard it first, here.